Donald Brown gives Indianapolis Colts solid second option

The Colts’ Donald Brown has rushed 48 times for 293 yards and caught 15 passes for 153 yards over the past eight games.(Photo: Robert Scheer/The Star)

Week after week, Donald Brown has been more productive than Trent Richardson.

And each week, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Brown’s role remains the same for the Colts: He’s a change-of-pace back who plays behind the more heralded Richardson on the depth chart.

Indianapolis made headlines by trading for Richardson early this season, but he hasn’t found traction since leaving the Cleveland Browns. Richardson, the starter, has 96 carries for 272 yards and has caught 12 passes for 116 yards in eight games since the trade. Brown, the backup, has rushed 48 times for 293 yards and caught 15 passes for 153 yards in the same span.

Brown says he’s in a zone heading into Sunday’s game at Arizona. His 5.9 yards per carry is second among the top 70 running backs in the league in rush attempts this season.

“I feel good, feel confident running the ball,” he said. “Mentally I’m on it. I’m down with the blocking schemes, I understand what the O-line’s doing. Offensive line’s doing a great job, Andrew’s (Luck) getting us in the right plays and when the first person you see is a safety, that’s every running back’s dream.”

Brown started the season as a backup behind Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard. When both got put on injured reserve, Brown was still stuck behind Richardson. Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton said Brown has had a good attitude about the situation.

“He’s consistent, he’s a pro,” Hamilton said. “He’s never wavered one bit. He’s the first guy in the building and the last guy to leave. His attitude has been great. It’s been extremely positive.”

Hamilton said despite Brown’s success, the Colts will continue to use Brown and Richardson the same way.

“We don’t plan on changing our rotation with our backs,” he said. “We’ve always been a running back by committee bunch, so we’re going to continue to do that.”

Other news

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Cowboys: While saying he was “disappointed” in a 5-5 record that has dropped the Cowboys out of the top spot in the NFC East for the first time this season, owner Jerry Jones said Jason Garrett will return in 2014 regardless of whether the Cowboys end their three-year playoff drought.

“I’m disappointed we don’t have a better record, but he has got us in position to win the division and got a team here I firmly believe has the ability to be one of the better playing teams at the end,” said Jones, addressing about a dozen reporters on the team’s practice field. “A lot of this story is to be played out.”

Asked if Garrett would be his coach next year, Jones twice said yes.

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49ers: The team is unlikely to host weeknight games at new Levi’s Stadium next year in the inaugural season of the venue, according to The Associated Press.

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Vikings: Adrian Peterson said he plans to play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers and is spending this week doing whatever it takes to get as close to 100 percent as he can for the game. The running back has an injured groin.